Natural Disasters in Denison, IA
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
60.8
Relatively Low
Expected Annual Loss
65.9
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
28.1
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
23.3
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Drought | 98.4 |
| Tornado | 82.4 |
| Landslide | 79.8 |
| Hail | 76.8 |
| Cold Wave | 66.4 |
| Strong Wind | 65.7 |
| Ice Storm | 63.9 |
| Winter Weather | 48.1 |
| Wildfire | 46.2 |
| Heat Wave | 30.7 |
| Lightning | 26.9 |
| Earthquake | 9.9 |
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster Declarations
Source: FEMA OpenFEMATotal Declarations
23
Most Recent
Winter Storm
May 2025
Most Common Type
Severe Storm
9 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| May 21, 2025 | Winter Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| May 14, 2024 | Tornado | SEVERE STORMS AND TORNADOES |
| Mar 23, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 PANDEMIC |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 |
| Mar 23, 2019 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| Aug 5, 2014 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING |
| Jul 2, 2013 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Mar 2, 2010 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Feb 25, 2010 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS AND SNOWSTORM |
| May 27, 2008 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| May 25, 2007 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND TORNADOES |
| Mar 30, 2007 | Snowstorm | SNOW |
| Sep 10, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Jul 22, 1999 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING |
| May 21, 1999 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND TORNADOES |
| Jul 2, 1998 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES AND FLOODING |
| Aug 21, 1996 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, AND FLOODING |
| Jul 9, 1993 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
| May 26, 1990 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
| Jun 24, 1974 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
Showing 20 of 23 declarations
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
88
Total Claims Paid
$1,703,401
Avg Claim Payout
$19,357
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$7,989,691
Disasters with PA
8
Total Projects
277
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-1763 | Severe Storm(s) | 193 | $4,391,878 |
| DR-4483 | Biological | 4 | $1,185,558 |
| DR-4421 | Severe Storm(s) | 12 | $1,071,236 |
| DR-4187 | Severe Storm(s) | 3 | $548,473 |
| DR-4126 | Severe Storm(s) | 12 | $299,178 |
| DR-4779 | Severe Storm(s) | 11 | $202,109 |
| DR-1880 | Severe Storm(s) | 14 | $163,242 |
| DR-1282 | Severe Storm(s) | 28 | $128,017 |
Denison has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are drought, tornado, landslide. The area has had 23 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is severe storm (9 declarations). 88 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $7,989,691 in public assistance recovery funding.